Ecopoetry
Encyclopedia
The term Ecopoetry has come into recent, popular use as a means of denoting poetry
with a strong ecological emphasis or message.
Naturally, across the ages, many poets, poems and books of poems have expressed ecological concerns; but it is only relatively recently that the neologism has gained momentum and acceptability. There is now, in English-speaking poetry, a recognisable sub-genre of poetry having a distinctively Ecopoetic thrust.
Prior to the term becoming well-known or fashionable, a number of forerunning books had delivered a potent Ecological message: although these poets did not mention the word overtly, they were clearly 'Ecopoetic' in stance and exerted a priming influence on the subsequent popularity of the sub-genre. Examples include: The White Poem by Jay Ramsay & Carole Bruce (Rivelin Grapheme Press, 1988), Bosco (Hearing Eye, 1999; 2001)http://www.contemporarywriters.com/authors/?p=authC2D9C28B0c54816E6EhGs14087F4 and (more recently) Heavy Water: a poem for Chernobyl (Enitharmon Press, 2004) http://www.enitharmon.co.uk/books/viewBook.asp?BID=97.
One of a number of seminal texts helping to introduce the term into wider, critical use was Ecopoetry: a Critical Introduction edited by J. Scott Bryson (2002). Another example of the burgeoning use of the term at the millennial turn was the journal Ecopoeticshttp://www.factoryschool.org/ecopoetics/, which broadened the term from poetry into poiesis
interpreted as making/writing more generally.
Since then, a spate of poetry anthologies and books has appeared, either employing the word explicitly or using the idea as a guiding principle. Recent instances include Alice Oswald
's The Thunder Mutters (2005) and the ground-breaking Earth Shattering: Ecopoems, edited by Neil Astley
at Bloodaxe Books
(2007)http://www.bloodaxebooks.com/titlepage.asp?isbn=1852247746.
One of the chief characteristics of Ecopoetry, as defined by James Engelhardt http://www.octopusmagazine.com/issue09/engelhardt.htm, is that it is connected to the world in a way that implies responsibility. As with other models that explore and assume engagement (Marxism
, feminism
, etc.), Ecopoetry is "surrounded by questions of ethics" [J Engelhardt, 2007].
The term itself is variously interpreted, and a precise definition does not exist; however, as a means of describing poetry (or poetic projects) that embrace the ecological imperative for personal sensitivity and social change, Ecopoetry has now moved squarely into current use, and is cited freely across the literature by such writers as John Burnside
and Mario Petruccihttp://www.poetrysociety.org.uk/content/education/poetryclass/news/0608.
Poetry
Poetry is a form of literary art in which language is used for its aesthetic and evocative qualities in addition to, or in lieu of, its apparent meaning...
with a strong ecological emphasis or message.
Naturally, across the ages, many poets, poems and books of poems have expressed ecological concerns; but it is only relatively recently that the neologism has gained momentum and acceptability. There is now, in English-speaking poetry, a recognisable sub-genre of poetry having a distinctively Ecopoetic thrust.
Prior to the term becoming well-known or fashionable, a number of forerunning books had delivered a potent Ecological message: although these poets did not mention the word overtly, they were clearly 'Ecopoetic' in stance and exerted a priming influence on the subsequent popularity of the sub-genre. Examples include: The White Poem by Jay Ramsay & Carole Bruce (Rivelin Grapheme Press, 1988), Bosco (Hearing Eye, 1999; 2001)http://www.contemporarywriters.com/authors/?p=authC2D9C28B0c54816E6EhGs14087F4 and (more recently) Heavy Water: a poem for Chernobyl (Enitharmon Press, 2004) http://www.enitharmon.co.uk/books/viewBook.asp?BID=97.
One of a number of seminal texts helping to introduce the term into wider, critical use was Ecopoetry: a Critical Introduction edited by J. Scott Bryson (2002). Another example of the burgeoning use of the term at the millennial turn was the journal Ecopoeticshttp://www.factoryschool.org/ecopoetics/, which broadened the term from poetry into poiesis
Poiesis
Poïesis is etymologically derived from the ancient Greek term ποιέω, which means "to make". This word, the root of our modern "poetry", was first a verb, an action that transforms and continues the world. Neither technical production nor creation in the romantic sense, poïetic work reconciles...
interpreted as making/writing more generally.
Since then, a spate of poetry anthologies and books has appeared, either employing the word explicitly or using the idea as a guiding principle. Recent instances include Alice Oswald
Alice Oswald
-Career:Oswald read Classics at New College, Oxford, has worked as a gardener at Chelsea Physic Garden, and today lives with her husband, the playwright Peter Oswald , and her three children in Devon, in the South-West of England....
's The Thunder Mutters (2005) and the ground-breaking Earth Shattering: Ecopoems, edited by Neil Astley
Neil Astley
Neil Astley is a British publisher, editor and writer.-Life and work:Astley grew up in Fareham, Hampshire, and was educated at Price's School, Fareham , the Alliance Française, Paris , and Newcastle University...
at Bloodaxe Books
Bloodaxe Books
Bloodaxe Books is a British publishing house specialising in poetry.-History:It was founded in 1978 in Newcastle upon Tyne by Neil Astley, who is still editor and managing director. Joined in 1982 by chairman Simon Thirsk, Astley was later awarded an honorary D.Litt by Newcastle University in 1995...
(2007)http://www.bloodaxebooks.com/titlepage.asp?isbn=1852247746.
One of the chief characteristics of Ecopoetry, as defined by James Engelhardt http://www.octopusmagazine.com/issue09/engelhardt.htm, is that it is connected to the world in a way that implies responsibility. As with other models that explore and assume engagement (Marxism
Marxism
Marxism is an economic and sociopolitical worldview and method of socioeconomic inquiry that centers upon a materialist interpretation of history, a dialectical view of social change, and an analysis and critique of the development of capitalism. Marxism was pioneered in the early to mid 19th...
, feminism
Feminism
Feminism is a collection of movements aimed at defining, establishing, and defending equal political, economic, and social rights and equal opportunities for women. Its concepts overlap with those of women's rights...
, etc.), Ecopoetry is "surrounded by questions of ethics" [J Engelhardt, 2007].
The term itself is variously interpreted, and a precise definition does not exist; however, as a means of describing poetry (or poetic projects) that embrace the ecological imperative for personal sensitivity and social change, Ecopoetry has now moved squarely into current use, and is cited freely across the literature by such writers as John Burnside
John Burnside
John Burnside is a Scottish writer, born in Dunfermline.-Background:Burnside studied English and European Languages at Cambridge College of Arts and Technology. A former computer software engineer, he has been a freelance writer since 1996...
and Mario Petruccihttp://www.poetrysociety.org.uk/content/education/poetryclass/news/0608.
Sources/ References
- 'Ecopoems': term used in title of Earth Shattering: Ecopoems (ed. Neil Astley; Bloodaxe 2007) ISBN 1 85224 774 6.
- Ecopoetry: a Critical Introduction (ed. J. Scott Bryson; University of Utah Press 2002) ISBN 978-0874807011.
- The White Poem by Jay Ramsay and Carole Bruce (Rivelin Grapheme Press, 1988) ISBN 978-0947612290.
- Bosco by Mario Petrucci (Hearing Eye, 1999; 2001) ISBN 1-870841-77-8.
- Heavy Water: a poem for Chernobyl (Enitharmon Press, 2004) ISBN 1-900564-34-3.
- The Thunder Mutters: 101 Poems About the Planet (ed., Alice Oswald; Faber & Faber, 2005) ISBN 9780571218578.
- The Language Habitat: an Ecopoetry Manifesto by James Engelhardt (2007).
- Manifesto Ecopoesie by M. Ivana Trevisani Bach http://www.ecopoems.altervista.org
- Literary journal: Ecopoetics
- The Poetry Society's Ecopoetry Study Packs
- Blue Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson - 1996 - A Bantam Spectra Book - ISBN 0-553-57335-7.